Such an inflammatory disease of the stomach as autoimmune gastritis is quite rare, it is detected only in 10% of the population. The disease is genetic in nature and occurs under certain conditions. Which ones - science has not yet been precisely determined. It can only be noted that the provoking factors are old age and malnutrition. Consider the characteristic symptoms of this disease, its diagnosis and treatment.
How does this pathological process proceed?
The human digestive system with this disease begins to eat itself. In other words, the immune system, by producing specific antibodies, destroys the normal cells that make up the mucous membrane of the stomach. This leads to a decrease in the acidity of the gastric juice, the food ceases to be digested and its decay begins, and beneficial substances are not absorbed either in the tissue or in the general bloodstream. A person, having taken food, feels quite severe pain in the lower abdomen. Because of this, he ceases to eat anything, and after a while dystrophy and anorexia develops.
Causes of occurrence
For what reason does a person develop such a pathology? Scientists are inclined to this opinion that an immune disorder is a hereditary nature of development. In addition, autoimmune gastritis can be caused by an infection in the body, such as cytomegalovirus, herpes, and also the hardest Epstein-Barr virus. The causative agent of such an infection is introduced not only into tissues, but also into internal organs, causing immunity to destroy the gastrointestinal tract. In any case, the cause of this disease is determined individually.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of pathology are manifested as follows:
- bloating;
- lethargy and severe fatigue;
- bad taste in the mouth ;
- loss of appetite;
- a person notices that he gurgles in his stomach;
- heartburn, belching, mild nausea, constipation or diarrhea;
- sweating, dizziness;
- pallor of the skin;
- thinning nails.
In addition, a clear sign of autoimmune gastritis is nervousness, irritability, emotionality. This is explained by the fact that the body begins to experience a lack of vitamins B12 and B9, resulting in anemia and neurological disorders.
Such symptoms do not occur immediately at the time of the development of the disease and can occur both collectively and separately.
Diagnostics
In order for the treatment to be effective, it is very important to make an accurate diagnosis on time. In this case, many turn to the gastroenterological center, where the following diagnostic measures are carried out:
- Fibrogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy. At an early stage of the development of the disease, swelling of the mucous membrane, its hyperemia, the presence of ulcers and erosion are revealed. If the disease has become chronic, the mucous membrane of the stomach becomes pale, atrophic, with small areas of degeneration of epithelial cells.
- Fluoroscopy of the stomach, esophagus and duodenum.
- An immunological blood test, because in 30% of patients autoimmune disorders are detected in other organs.
- Probing of the stomach, which determines the acidity of the fluid of this organ and the presence of Helicobacter.
- Carrying out a polymerase chain reaction, which allows to determine the composite DNA of viruses in the fluids and tissues of the patient. In 7.1% of patients with autoimmune gastritis, the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, is detected.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. In 80% of cases, patients have an enlarged liver with a change in its structure, in 17% of patients the spleen is enlarged, sometimes an increase and consolidation of peripheral lymph nodes is detected.
Who prescribes treatment?
Usually, if the patient goes to the gastroenterological center, he will be examined and further treated by two specialists - an immunologist and a gastroenterologist.
An immunologist determines the stage of development of this disease and how it is possible to suspend further destruction of the gastrointestinal tract.
The gastroenterologist carries out therapeutic measures in relation to the damaged mucous membrane of the stomach, prescribes appropriate treatment, with which the function of the gastrointestinal tract, which is impaired during the development of the disease, is restored.
Treatment method
If autoimmune gastritis is diagnosed, its treatment should be individual. It depends on the form of the disease, stage of development, severe symptoms and changes in other organs. Treatment should be aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease, as well as combating Helicobacter and viral infections, changes in the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
The basic principles of treatment
If autoimmune gastritis is detected, the patient must adhere to a special diet. In this case, cold and hot food should be excluded from the diet, which should be mechanically, thermally and chemically sparing. Spicy, salty, spicy, fried foods are prohibited. The diet should be protein (including fish, steamed or non-fat boiled meat), containing vitamins and fiber (jelly, cereals, mousses, dairy products, mashed or boiled fruits and vegetables). You can not drink coffee, sweet dishes, cakes, tea, cakes, sweets. Food should be taken exclusively in a warm form.
If the patient suffers from severe pain, the doctor prescribes anticholinergics (Metacin, Platifillin), antispasmodics (Papaverine, No-shpa), as well as drugs aimed at decreasing intestinal and stomach motor activity (Cerucal, "Motilium").
To improve the condition of the gastric mucosa, the following drugs are prescribed: Venter, Bismuth, Plantaglucid, and Almagel, Ranitidine and others to reduce acidity.
With severe atrophy of the mucosa, replacement therapy is prescribed: "Abomin", "Mezim", "Acidin-Pepsin", "Panzinorm", "Pancurmen", drugs that clean up the intestinal microflora, multivitamins.
If such a need arises, then antimicrobial and antiviral agents should be taken. According to indications only, herbal medicine, massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, reflexology, balneological therapy are performed.
Also, many patients use traditional medicine to relieve the condition. Some people treat autoimmune gastritis with plantain juice and natural sea buckthorn oil, but in any case, therapy should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.
Possible complications
If the disease does not begin to be treated in a timely manner, atrophy of the mucous membrane will only progress, and the symptoms will intensify. As a result, adenocarcinoma may occur. Also, neglect of health leads to iron deficiency anemia and polyhypovitaminosis.
Output
Thus, if a person suddenly notices that he is bubbling in his stomach, there is heartburn, there is bad breath and other strange manifestations of the body, then he should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Often this indicates the development of autoimmune gastritis, the untimely treatment of which leads to serious complications.